Race hate attacks on the rise in London, Scotland Yard figures reveal

Police are reporting a rise in racially aggravated incidents against Jews and Muslims Getty Images

Racist and religiously motivated hate crimes reported to police have surged in London, according to Met figures — with some of the biggest increases being attacks on Jews and Muslims.

Police attribute the rise in recorded hate crimes to factors including greater victim confidence and reaction to world events, such as the Charlie Hebdo shootings in France or violence flaring in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

The news comes as integration think tank British Future today published a survey showing just over half of Londoners polled felt community relations had worsened slightly since the July 7 bombings in 2005.

The total number of racist and religious hate crimes across London rose by almost 28 per cent last year, from 9,965 reported incidents to 12,749.

Crimes listed as anti-Semitic were up 138 per cent from 208 to 495. Brent and Hackney saw some of the biggest increases.

Attacks on Jewish Londoners include a man being hospitalised after an assault on a synagogue in Stamford Hill. Six people were arrested.

Jonathan Sacerdoti, of the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, said: “Anecdotally, a lot of the people who speak to us say they feel things are getting worse.

“London is still a very safe place for Jewish people to live — we’re not a besieged community — but the Met’s own figures are there. We believe there should be zero tolerance. Where there is abuse against Jews, we believe it should be taken seriously.”

The number of crimes classified by police as Islamophobic increased by more than 47 per cent, from 529 to 778, particularly in Merton, Islington, Southwark and Westminster.

According to data compiled by Tell Mama, which measures anti-Muslim attacks, most street attacks were on females by white males. Offences range from verbal abuse to causing physical harm.

Fiyaz Mughal, founder of Faith Matters, said attacks included spitting, throwing objects at Muslim women in cars and mosque arson.

He said: “There is a level of ignorance in this country, not many people will have spent some good quality time meeting a Muslim.

“It’s imperative that communities understand each other, so go to your local church, mosque or synagogue open day, when there’s community events — go to them.”

The Met figures were not indicative of arrests, charges or convictions.

Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, the Met’s head of community engagement, said: “What communities tell us is the ability to go about their normal business without being subjected to racist, Islamophobic or anti-Semitic behaviour is a key part to playing a full part in our society.

“I don’t see [abuse] as free speech. It’s criminal and will be treated as such.”